Baucus' "Compromise" on Individual Mandates: Up to $3,800 Fine For Failure to Buy InsuranceUPDATE: Grassley Not Buying It

Via DrewM., Senator Max Baucus finally got his version of Obamacare out. It is supposedly an attempt at compromise. Among the provisions:

The plan from Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana would make health insurance mandatory, just like auto coverage. It would provide tax credits to help cover the cost for people making up to three times the federal poverty level. That's about $66,000 for a family of four, and $32,000 for an individual.

But those who still don't sign up would face hefty fines, starting at $750 a year for individuals and $1,500 for families. The maximum penalty on individuals would be $950.

The max penalty for a family would be $3,800.

As I wrote this morning: subsidies and taxes. This is just another anti-prosperity plan.

Update: Senator Chuck Grassley is one of the Republicans still trying to talk the Democrats down off this ledge. The future of Baucus' compromise is—in large part—in Grassley's hands. He's signalling no deal:

A source close to Republican Sen. Grassley tells CNN that in addition to the problem he has with the fee on insurance companies, a concern he expressed on CNN this morning, he also does not like the overall price tag, which he thinks will be about $880 billion. The Iowa senator had been hoping for something in the $750-$780 billion ballpark.

Democratic sources tell us that Baucus will use today's 2:30 pm ET meeting to gauge whether he can get a deal with the Republicans in the so-called "Gang of Six," especially Grassley and Sen. Mike Enzi, or whether he will have to move on and schedule a Finance Committee markup without a bipartisan agreement.

BTW, if you want to read it yourself the Baucus "framework" is here (PDF).